Need Good Ol' Chicken Dog

[Primo]

In what part of the USA was the word "cur" used for a cull? In the South it's been used for hundreds of years as a type of hunting dog, as far as I know, long before breeds were recognized.

Both the north and south. I have lived in both and heard the term used this way. Don't know what else to tell you. Not saying it's right or wrong. Again just a human label.

 

[ConPollos]

Both the north and south. I have lived in both and heard the term used this way. Don't know what else to tell you. Not saying it's right or wrong. Again just a human label.

Interesting. Etymology is weird. I think what happened is, in old Britain the cur or curdogge was purpose-bred for herding cattle, so it was bred for performance instead of looks. The behaviors bred true, but their appearance varied giving them a mutt look.

Then when the recent trend of breeding dogs for a standard appearance came into vogue with the English dog fanciers, the fanciers looked down their noses at the curs for not having a standardized appearance.

They then proceeded to ruin every working dog breed on the planet by breeding for looks. Whereas a cur breeder might cross in any type of dog to improve the performance of his line of hunting/herding/protection dogs.

Now that certain types of curs have been officially recognized as breeds and given breed standards to conform to including looks, the fear among hunters is that curs will be ruined as working dogs.

To get back to the topic, I have no idea what type of dog would actually protect chickens. I saw a couple of GSD mixes in an article about dogs who live with and protect chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

This what I currently use. Speed and smarts.

Male Short-haired German Pointer

Female Long-haired x Short-haired German Pointer

I have used Black and Tan Coonhounds (many over many decades), Irish Setters (over a couple of decades), Dalmations (three over a decade), a Border Collie (1), a Lab-cross (1), and Feist (1). Hounds were expected to hunt raccoons only and where discouraged from harming even feral cats. Dalmations where more as companion animals that provided excellent protection to property and stock around buildings plus were very dog-aggressive. A couple would point on quail and all were competent on squirrles. Border Collie helped move cattle and hogs between pastures and even farms. Lab-cross and Irish Setters were good porch dogs that relayed signal something was amiss despite not being real guardians in their own right. Feist was very much into controlling rats and was the nightmare of any Red Fox that might try the cockyard.


Regardless of breed, dogs had to be trained to leave birds alone before being allowed to range free among poultry. Not all hounds were so trained but most were if kept beyond 5 years of age.

Always had more than one dog trained up and another in the wings. Training for all but Lab and Border Collie took close to two years. Dogs had to cover multiple barnyards that were up to one half mile apart. They were in good shape and would be classified as working dogs based on the fact they did actually work.


We actually lived on our farm and where always available to back dogs up with whatever measures where needed. This was the way most farmers used to operate. Dairy producers and many shepherds still have that mentality which is an affliction I suffer.

 

[ConPollos]

This what I currently use. Speed and smarts.

Male Short-haired German Pointer

Female Long-haired x Short-haired German Pointer

I have used Black and Tan Coonhounds (many over many decades), Irish Setters (over a couple of decades), Dalmations (three over a decade), a Border Collie (1), a Lab-cross (1), and Feist (1). Hounds were expected to hunt raccoons only and where discouraged from harming even feral cats. Dalmations where more as companion animals that provided excellent protection to property and stock around buildings plus were very dog-aggressive. A couple would point on quail and all were competent on squirrles. Border Collie helped move cattle and hogs between pastures and even farms. Lab-cross and Irish Setters were good porch dogs that relayed signal something was amiss despite not being real guardians in their own right. Feist was very much into controlling rats and was the nightmare of any Red Fox that might try the cockyard.


Regardless of breed, dogs had to be trained to leave birds alone before being allowed to range free among poultry. Not all hounds were so trained but most were if kept beyond 5 years of age.

Always had more than one dog trained up and another in the wings. Training for all but Lab and Border Collie took close to two years. Dogs had to cover multiple barnyards that were up to one half mile apart. They were in good shape and would be classified as working dogs based on the fact they did actually work.


We actually lived on our farm and where always available to back dogs up with whatever measures where needed. This was the way most farmers used to operate. Dairy producers and many shepherds still have that mentality which is an affliction I suffer.

AWESOME! How did you train your dogs to be trustworthy around chickens?

 

[centrarchid]

Usually dogs, as pups, introduced to fully adult chickens under supervision. Both are free-range. This helps control excitement around chickens. Dog encouraged to have other interest and walked about property and periodically walked back on a given training session. As pups grow they have continued exposure to penned adults and juveniles tended by a hen.. Chicks with hen safe but juvenile chickens still at risk. Birds used during this stage are low value. I have lots of chickens of high value so willing to risk some lower value birds to protect core. Lots of supervision and even leach employed around juvenile chickens. Considerable effort invested in getting dog under control. When dog about 1 year old it can be allowed out all night without supervision. Birds roost up and dog has other interests (predators) to entertain it. Through about 18 months is scary with juvenile dog and juvenile chickens as that is time board dog can be problematic. I reprimand improper interest in birds. All dogs differ in how they proceed through process. By 24 months dogs no longer interested in chickens as play toys although considerable maturation ahead as dog learns role with other dogs and how to communicate with me. Dogs have challenge of learning how to out maneuver predators and training me. My dogs have ability to recruit me into action when they have a problem. Different barks for different predators. Male even comes back to house and inside to lead me out to action. This all requires experience developed by all parties. Usually a bird or two is lost in process with each dog. Dogs for me still worth it.

My investment in the chickens is well beyond the backyard concept and I have been doing this for quite a while without being properly trained myself. The dogs are only part of the protection, but they are the smart part that adapts quickly. They are also the most expensive. We have nearly 20 acres for dogs to roam and they even provide protection for neighboring flocks. My arrangement is far from typical.

 

[ConPollos]

Usually dogs, as pups, introduced to fully adult chickens under supervision. Both are free-range. This helps control excitement around chickens. Dog encouraged to have other interest and walked about property and periodically walked back on a given training session. As pups grow they have continued exposure to penned adults and juveniles tended by a hen.. Chicks with hen safe but juvenile chickens still at risk. Birds used during this stage are low value. I have lots of chickens of high value so willing to risk some lower value birds to protect core. Lots of supervision and even leach employed around juvenile chickens. Considerable effort invested in getting dog under control. When dog about 1 year old it can be allowed out all night without supervision. Birds roost up and dog has other interests (predators) to entertain it. Through about 18 months is scary with juvenile dog and juvenile chickens as that is time board dog can be problematic. I reprimand improper interest in birds. All dogs differ in how they proceed through process. By 24 months dogs no longer interested in chickens as play toys although considerable maturation ahead as dog learns role with other dogs and how to communicate with me. Dogs have challenge of learning how to out maneuver predators and training me. My dogs have ability to recruit me into action when they have a problem. Different barks for different predators. Male even comes back to house and inside to lead me out to action. This all requires experience developed by all parties. Usually a bird or two is lost in process with each dog. Dogs for me still worth it.

My investment in the chickens is well beyond the backyard concept and I have been doing this for quite a while without being properly trained myself. The dogs are only part of the protection, but they are the smart part that adapts quickly. They are also the most expensive. We have nearly 20 acres for dogs to roam and they even provide protection for neighboring flocks. My arrangement is far from typical.

Very, very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

 

[debenfarms]

I have a Great Pyrenese rescue and an Akbash rescue, they both are a great team.
We have had bobcats, feral dogs, coyote, raccoon, oppossum, fox and now a panther living
in our area. Couple of weeks the Pyr was attacked by the panther, he is ok, (caught on game camera)

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I have a Great Pyrenese rescue and an Akbash rescue, they both are a great team.
We have had bobcats, feral dogs, coyote, raccoon, oppossum, fox and now a panther living
in our area. Couple of weeks the Pyr was attacked by the panther, he is ok, (caught on game camera)

If your dog was attacked by a panther, I'd suggest getting another LGD. The more big dogs around the less likely that thing will come back.
And put a thick collar on him to protect his neck in case it returns.

 

[debenfarms]

I have a second LGD, an Akbash, they work very well together, that is the reason he wasnt hurt any worse than he was.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I would still consider a third... but that is just me. When your predators are massive like panthers and bears, most people have 3 or more.